Atkins to make an offer on landATKINS — The Atkins School Board decided to make an offer on property near the elementary playground and heard various other items. The board granted the school district to make an offer on a piece of land located behind the elementary playground and adjacent to property currently owned by the district. The land is approximately six to eight acres. According to Superintendent Joe Fisher, the asking price is $4,000 per acre with a maximum price...

Dardanelle schools approve new hiresDARDANELLE — The Dardanelle School Board met Tuesday to approve the transfer of funds and make several employment changes. The board approved a transfer of $1,500,000 from the operating fund to the building fund during the meeting Tuesday. A bid proposal was also discussed for a district-wide surveillance system, though no action was taken. The board also approved the employment of several individuals: Renee Boatman, high school special educat...

RSD gets roof update, discuss indoor practice facilityThe Russellville School Board discussed the indoor practice facility, heard an update on the middle school roof and approved personnel changes during its regular meeting Tuesday night. Chad Weisler with Van Horn Construction informed board members the Russellville Middle School roofing project was completed and expected to be under budget anywhere from $200,000-$240,000, once invoices were finalized. The project was originally contracted at a ...

First day back:The first day back to school can be a joyous and exciting time, but it can also be a heartbreaking time for parents with students starting school for the very first time. Pottsville Elementary hosted a breakfast for parents with children who started kindergarten. “We had a boo-hoo breakfast for parents of kindergarten students,” Pottsville Elementary principal Shannon Davis said. “The parents have been really supportive, though. “The first two...

Upper Elementary fifth grade awardsAt Upper Elementary Fifth Grade, each child is accepted as a unique individual with varied needs, feelings and desires. The recognition project is designed to help each student realize his or her potential whether academic, social, or physical. The purpose of the recognition project is to promote outstanding achievement, perfect attendance, good citizenship, and self-discipline, positive self-image and responsible young people. Third grading p...

UCA announces spring 2017 presidential scholars and Dean's listCONWAY -- The University of Central Arkansas has announced the Presidential Scholars and Dean's List for spring 2017 semester. Presidential Scholar and Dean's List honors are based on grades earned during each semester of the regular academic year. Students must achieve a 4.0 GPA with a minimum course load of 12 credit hours to qualify for recognition as a Presidential Scholar. Recognition on the Dean's List requires at least a 3.5 GPA with a ...

Williams receives degree from Princeton Theological SeminaryPrinceton, N.J. -- Marlin Lee Williams of Russellville graduated with a Master of Theology degree at Princeton Theological Seminary's 205th commencement ceremony. The Master of Theology is an advanced degree beyond the basic professional degree in ministry. The Seminary awarded a total of 193 degrees at the Commencement Exercises. Williams will serve as an active duty chaplain at the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center in Columbia, S.C.

Mercer University announces spring 2017 President's, Dean's listsMACON, Ga. -- Mercer University recently announced the President's List and Dean's List for the spring 2017 semester. Inclusion on these lists requires students to meet rigorous grade-point-average standards specific to the college or school within the University. Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education. The University enrolls more than 8,600 students in 12 ...

A trip to the line of totalityPOTTSVILLE — A team of six Pottsville High School students along with Ed Roberts, astronomy, physics and environmental science teacher, are preparing for the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse. Two years ago, Roberts hand-picked six of the top 10th-grade students (so they would still be in high school during the eclipse) who showed an interest in science as a career to study and observe the solar eclipse in Missouri. The students selected for the mis...

School bus safety remindersWith school starting on Monday, the streets will be filled with buses which leads to safety concerns. The Russellville Police Department (RPD) has offered a few reminders. “The first few weeks of school people usually do [forget some of the laws regarding school buses],” Public Information Officer Quinn Jones said. “Sometimes it’s because there are new drivers or people forget.” At the top of the reminder list is that motorists must stop when ...

Clarksville OKs quoteCLARKSVILLE — The Clarksville School Board met Thursday to approve a quote from Renaissance K-12 and approved several personnel recommendations. During the meeting, the school board approved a quote from Renaissance K-12 Learning Analytics in the amount of $47,625. In other business, the board approved the employment of Nancy Ballard, migrant tutor at the Clarksville Junior High School (CJH); Shelly Frew, counselor at Pyron Elementary; Tanner ...

Book Love Foundation awards classroom library to JonesThe Book Love Foundation awarded its 55th classroom library this year. Since 2013 the Book Love Foundation has given $221,000 in grants to classroom teachers. This year, 20 middle and high school English Language Arts teachers from the United States and Canada were awarded 500-book classroom libraries due to their extraordinary dedication to create a lasting love of reading for all students. These teachers work at local, state and national lev...

Dunsworth named to APCU board of directorsCLARKSVILLE -- University of the Ozarks President Richard Dunsworth, J.D., has been elected to the board of directors for the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities (APCU). Dunsworth's three-year term begins immediately on the board of the independent, non-profit association that is dedicated to assisting the more than 50 Presbyterian-affiliated colleges and universities throughout the U.S. "I am honored to have been elected to ...

ATU hosts students, teachers from China for two-week adventure campFifty-two high school students and teachers from China recently departed the Arkansas Tech University campus in Russellville, to return home following a two-week stay at the 2017 ATU Great American Adventure Camp. Hosted by the International and Multicultural Student Services Office (IMSSO) and the English Language Institute at ATU, the camp combined classroom instruction in English with cultural opportunities such as visiting Branson, Mo., le...

Atkins calls board meetingATKINS — The Atkins School Board met in a special called meeting Thursday to make personnel changes. The board accepted the resignation of Joseph Reed, choir and music teacher, and employed Kristyn Riley for that position. Stand Heaton and Amanda Gooden were also hired as bus drivers. The next school board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Aug. 14.

Local schools stance on student cell phonesWith the first day of school around the corner, it’s important to know what rules have changed, which ones stayed the same and what the rules even are. One of the main rules across the board to know deals with cell phones, especially when local cell phone providers say they have seen an increase in the number of youth receiving their own phones. The following is an overview of current policies regarding students and cell phone and electronic d...